A fixing device for fixing a second component part at a stationary first component part to be swivelable around a swiveling axis 2 having a cylinder that is displaceable transverse to the swiveling axis and filled with a fluid, a piston displaceably guided in the cylinder that divides the interior of the cylinder into a first working chamber and a second working chamber, with a first valve device that connects the first working chamber to the second working chamber when pressure in the first working chamber is higher than the pressure in the second working chamber, and a second valve device that connects the second working chamber to the first working chamber when pressure in the second working chamber is higher than the pressure in the first working chamber.

A hinge device includes a fixed element, a movable element and a slider housed in a working chamber and coupled to a pivot, so that a rotation of the movable element corresponds to the sliding of the slider. The working chamber includes an end cap and a working fluid and is divided into first and second variable volume compartment by a plunger member of the slider. A hydraulic circuit includes a first duct passing through an end cap that is in fluid communication with the first and second compartments and has an elongated tubular wall extending within the working chamber, and the interspace between the working chamber and the elongated tubular wall. The plunger member is tightly inserted in the elongated tubular wall, which includes a first peripheral conduit having a first and a second port in fluid communication with the first and respectively second first compartment through the first duct.

A hinge device includes a fixed element, a movable element and a slider housed in a working chamber and coupled to a pivot, so that a rotation of the movable element corresponds to the sliding of the slider. The working chamber includes an end cap and a working fluid and is divided into first and second variable volume compartment by a plunger member of the slider. A hydraulic circuit includes a first duct passing through an end cap that is in fluid communication with the first and second compartments and has an elongated tubular wall extending within the working chamber, and the interspace between the working chamber and the elongated tubular wall. The plunger member is tightly inserted in the elongated tubular wall, which includes a first peripheral conduit having a first and a second port in fluid communication with the first and respectively second first compartment through the first duct.

Disclosed is a hinge including: a first hinge component including: a first external surface for securing to a first structure; and a first magnetic element; and a second hinge component, pivotally coupled to the first hinge component, including: a second external surface for securing to a second structure; and a second magnetic element. A magnetic force between the first and second magnetic elements bias the first and second hinge components toward a retained position.

Disclosed is a hinge including: a first hinge component including: a first external surface for securing to a first structure; and a first magnetic element; and a second hinge component, pivotally coupled to the first hinge component, including: a second external surface for securing to a second structure; and a second magnetic element. A magnetic force between the first and second magnetic elements bias the first and second hinge components toward a retained position.

A washing machine includes a cabinet defining a lateral direction, a transverse direction, and a vertical direction. The lateral, transverse, and vertical directions are mutually orthogonal. The washing machine appliance also includes a top panel on the cabinet that defines an opening. A wash chamber is defined within the cabinet below the opening of the top panel. The washing machine appliance also includes a lid which is rotatable through a plane defined by the transverse direction and the vertical direction between a closed position to sealingly enclose the wash chamber and an open position to permit access to the wash chamber. A hinge rotatably connects the lid to the top panel. The hinge defines a compound pivot axis. The lid rotates relative to the top panel about the compound pivot axis.

A method and device for reducing excessive door or hatch closing velocity. An actuator containing a force alignment channel causes piston movement within a hydraulic cylinder creating resistance to prevent door or hatch slamming. Closing of the car door is against the resistance of the hydraulic cylinder as hydraulic fluid moves through at least one channel to allow hydraulic fluid to move from a first side of the piston to a second side of a piston. The resistance of the hydraulic cylinder to an incremental movement in the car door varies during the closing of the car door. A force alignment channel within an actuator creates variation of the resistance of the hydraulic cylinder to the incremental movement in the car door by varying a rate of movement of the piston within the hydraulic cylinder per degree of closure of the car door.

A method and device for reducing excessive door or hatch closing velocity. An actuator containing a force alignment channel causes piston movement within a hydraulic cylinder creating resistance to prevent door or hatch slamming. Closing of the car door is against the resistance of the hydraulic cylinder as hydraulic fluid moves through at least one channel to allow hydraulic fluid to move from a first side of the piston to a second side of a piston. The resistance of the hydraulic cylinder to an incremental movement in the car door varies during the closing of the car door. A force alignment channel within an actuator creates variation of the resistance of the hydraulic cylinder to the incremental movement in the car door by varying a rate of movement of the piston within the hydraulic cylinder per degree of closure of the car door.

Disclosed herein is an apparatus for variable fluid damping. The apparatus comprises a mount. The apparatus also comprises a damper coupled to the mount to apply a damping force in response to movement of the mount. The apparatus further comprises an electrical element positioned to correspond to the damper. The apparatus additionally comprises a rheological fluid disposed in the damper. The rheological fluid changes viscosity in response to a change in an output of the electrical element to change the damping force of the damper. The apparatus also comprises a controller to provide input to the electrical element in response to a normal operating condition or an emergency operating condition.

Disclosed herein is an apparatus for variable fluid damping. The apparatus comprises a mount. The apparatus also comprises a damper coupled to the mount to apply a damping force in response to movement of the mount. The apparatus further comprises an electrical element positioned to correspond to the damper. The apparatus additionally comprises a rheological fluid disposed in the damper. The rheological fluid changes viscosity in response to a change in an output of the electrical element to change the damping force of the damper. The apparatus also comprises a controller to provide input to the electrical element in response to a normal operating condition or an emergency operating condition.